Firefighters rescue elderly dog that fell through Lake Michigan ice

WHITE LAKE, Mich., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- A Michigan fire department spent one of the final days of 2016 rescuing a 14-year-old golden retriever that fell through the ice of Lake Michigan.

The White Lake Fire Authority said crews were called to assist Muskegon County Animal Control officers Wednesday after the dog wandered onto the ice and fell through about 100 yards from shore.

Rescuers donned ice rescue suits and ventured out onto the frozen part of the lake to retrieve the canine.

The fire authority said the rescue marked the department's 1,000th call of 2016.

Lana Carson, director of the Pound Buddies shelter, said the 14-year-old dog was reunited with its owner.

"It is very, very unusual for this dog to kind of stray like that," Carson told Mlive.com. "It just kind of wandered off and found itself on the ice. The owner is very happy that the dog is safe and sound."